As the European football season draws to an end, the transfer market is prepping for a busy period. This season, more than ever, clubs are keen to grab the best talent available on the market. Unsurprisingly, a number of African players in Europe are also set to make summer switches to new clubs- in some cases to new countries. In no particular order, here is part one of the top ten deals involving African players that are most likely to occur:
Osaze Odemwingie / Nigeria
Current Club: West Brom
Possible Destinations: Hull City
Proposed transfer fee: £3 million 9$4.5 million)
Osaze’s season has been topsy-turvy with West Brom this year. Largely dominated by scandal, the high point was the unpleasant incident on the final day of the transfer window when Osaze tried to force a move away from West Brom by driving to QPR only to be prevented entry. Having featured sparingly since then, it is very likely that Osaze will be leaving West Brom. Already newly promoted Hull are interested in the Nigerian international who is supposedly valued at £3 million ($182 million). Hull’s interest in Osaze is hardly a surprise given Osaze’s ability and experience in the English top flight and with the new television deal which guarantees Hull City at least £120 million, they will need experience in key positions and with 15 goals in his debut season, Osaze has proven that he is one of the Premiership’s finest.
Pierre Aubameyang / Gabon
Current Club:
Possible Destinations:
Proposed transfer fee: At least £15 million ($23 million)
Gabon’s wonder kid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has enjoyed a season many only dream of. Second top-scorer in the French Ligue 1 with 19 goals, he helped his St Etienne side finish a reputable fourth on the table. Desite having three more years on his contract, the Gabonese star is almost definitely set for an exit as Europe’s biggest clubs hover for his signature. Pierre has revealed a personal preference for the La Liga or Bundesliga thus ruling out a proposed move to PSG. Clubs expecting Pierre to line up for them will part with no less than £15 million ($23 million).
Kolo Toure / Ivory Coast
Current Club: Manchester City
Possible Destinations: Liverpool
Proposed transfer fee: Not set
Man City will not be renewing Kolo Toure’s deal at the Etihad leaving the Ivorian centre back free to join any club of his choosing. If reports in England are anything to go by, that club is Liverpoool as coach Brendan Rodgers is seeking a replacement for the retiring Jamie Carragher. Toure is highly experienced and could prove valuable in Liverpool’s bid to return to Europe’s elite competition- thee UEFA Champions League.
Wilfried Bony / Ivory Coast
Current Club: Vitesse Arnhem
Possible Destinations: West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal
Proposed transfer fee: £15 million ($23 million)
31 goals in 32 games was the tally for Ivorian Bony in the Dutch Eredevisie. His astonishing goalscoring exploits are put in better context by a simple fact: Only Messi and Ronaldo have scored more league goals than Bony this season. Signed by Vitesse Arnhem for only £4 million ($6 million) from Sparta Prague, Bony seems destined for the Enlish Premiership as West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have all registered an interest in the forward.
Dieumerci Mbokani / DR Congo
Current Club: Anderlecht
Possible Destinations: Aston Villa, West Brom, Everton, Sunderland
Proposed transfer fee: £5 million ($7.5 million)
Mbokani has long been on the radar of clubs in Europe but this summer is set to be the one when he finally changes sides. Big, strong and skilful, Mbokani seems a perfect fit for the English Premiership and it is no surprise that he has a number of clubs on his tail. The 27 year old has expressed a personal preference for a move to England but also stated an ambition to play in Italy.
